The friends I have made through DofE have stuck by me and helped me throughout this last year. We created a WhatsApp group chat in the first year (Bronze Award), so we could co-ordinate the different groups me roles we would have. But it has remained an open line of communication for anyone who needed help or support. Last Easter I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, and the support I received from my DofE group and Instructers were invaluable. Many of the friends who helped me through this hard time were people I wouldn’t have met without the Duke Of Edinburgh Award, and I am extremely grateful for their care and support. I am really looking forward to seeing them all again when Covid restrictions are lifted.

DofE is one of the things I enjoy most at this moment in my life. It’s the thing I always look the most forward to, despite the various other clubs and activities I do. It’s the place I get to hang out with my friends, where we can be ourself s and not be judged by our peers. It’s where I get to try out new experiences and adventures. It’s where I get to have responsibilities, and where I learn to be independent. It’s where I get to laugh over the (ridiculously) long walks, and the burnt food. It’s an escape from the dullness of school life. It’s where I get to grow as a person.